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Injury Prevention Resources - Farming

Farming | Ranching | Commodities (Producers) | Greenhouses and Nurseries | Orchards and Vineyards | General Safety

The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the agriculture industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.

Agriculture Safety Checklist: A Guide for Farmers, Ranchers and Workers PH63

This pamphlet covers the areas of farming and ranching where most accidents occur. Topics covered include pesticides; hazardous substances; tools, machinery, and equipment; confined spaces; and health and safety regulations. By completing the checklist, you will become familiar with the regulations covering your farm or ranch and learn how you can prevent injury.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (256 KB)

Lockout Protects Farm Workers

A WorkSafe Magazine article on developing lockout procedures compliant with the new agricultural regulations that took effect in 2005.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (140 KB)

BK-3 Quick Guide to Farm Safety & Emergencies

"A user-friendly guide designed to hang on a wall (preferably in the work location). The guide gives a quick reference to farm safety tips as well as general machinery hazards. First aid tips are also given."
Source: FARSHA (Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association)
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FARSHA Chemical Safety

FARSHA offers these two publications: Pesticide Safety For Field Workers (available in English, Punjabi, Spanish and French) and Pesticide Safety for Agricultural Workers (available in English and Punjabi).
Source: FARSHA (Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association)
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Guidelines for Potato Growing Safety

"A centuries-old industry in New Brunswick, potato growing has evolved to become a highly mechanized activity. Still, humans remain necessary to many operations. Which means workers work side by side with machinery, surrounded by all sorts of powered equipment and revolving parts -- a dangerous environment for any untrained or complacent worker."
Source: WorkSafeNB
* PDF (1 MB)

NIOSH Update: Preventing Deaths of Farm Workers in Manure Pits

"The tragic deaths of four members of a Virginia farm family and a farm employee on July 2, 2007, highlight the importance of vigilance when entering manure pits or tanks. Accumulations of methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia can pose a life-threatening risk of suffocation and other dangers. The immediacy and magnitude of the hazard may not be readily apparent."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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Beware of Manure Pit Hazards

"Since the increased use of manure pits by Michigan livestock producers, there have been several instances where a farmer, family member, or employee has asphyxiated or succumbed to toxic gases from the pit. Cases have been reported where several individuals have died while attempting to rescue a coworker or family member from a pit."
Source: U.S. National Ag Safety Database
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Youth in Agriculture: Tractors

"There are many hazards associated with driving tractors including roll-overs, run-overs, collisions, exposure to moving machinery, hazardous weather conditions, and uneven terrain. Studies show that tractors are involved in a high proportion of farm fatalities and injuries."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
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Confined Space Hazards a Threat to Farmers

"Today's modern farming methods have brought new dangers that arise from farmers entering confined areas where oxygen levels may be inadequate or where toxic gases are present. When entering a confined area such as a manure pit, silo, grain bin, or an inadequately ventilated building a farmer may be at risk of being overcome by gases or dusts which can cause permanent lung damage or death."
Source: U.S. National Ag Safety Database
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Confined Space on a Farm

"There are many confined spaces on a farm. Underground manure pits or tanks, open manure pits, silos, septic tanks and wells are examples. Access to confined spaces is usually restricted. Often, there is only one way in and one way out, through a small opening. Natural ventilation is usually poor."
Source: Saskatchewan Labour
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Managing Confined Spaces on Farms

"This information sheet gives advice on managing the risks from confined spaces like moist grain silos, slurry pits or silage clamps and will help you to meet the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997."
Source: Health and Safety Executive, UK
* PDF (59 KB)

NIOSH Warns Farmers of Deadly Risk of Grain Suffocation

"According to the National Institute for Occupational safety and Health (NIOSH), grain farmers and their families may face deadly hazards this spring when working with grain bins. At least nine farmers recently suffocated to death in stored grain after being buried alive."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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Suffocation Hazards in Flat Storage Buildings and Tanks

"The purpose of this Hazard Information Bulletin is to heighten awareness of the existence of a serious engulfment (suffocation) hazard in grain handling facilities."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
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Emergency Preparedness

OSHA provides information and resources on how to plan for workplace emergencies and evacuations including publications on first responders, hazardous waste and traumatic incident stress.
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
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A Hantavirus Exposure Control Program for Employers and Workers BK74

This booklet is intended for employers and workers who may come into contact with rodents, or rodent droppings, while on the job. It contains guidelines for employers on preventing hantavirus infections and putting in place an exposure control program (ECP) to minimize potential worker exposure to rodents, or rodent droppings, contaminated with hantavirus. It also contains sample work procedures that employers can adapt to their specific work situations.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (254 KB)
Updated: October 2006

Simple Solutions - Ergonomics for Farm Workers

A downloadable brochure on simple solutions for ergonomic issues for farm workers.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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Farm Safety - It's No Accident

"Success doesn't happen by accident - neither does farm safety. This CD-ROM is a resource to help you take action, to get a safety plan in place, avoid injury situations and make farm safety a permanent part of your farming tradition."
Source: Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
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Hazard Alert - Farm Accident Kills Worker

This hazard alert describes an accident involving a 20-year-old worker and a hay baler.
Source: WorkSafeNB
* PDF (5 MB)

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